My stomach is in knots!!!

[Italiahaircolor]

I have working in the same profession for a handful of years now, and recently (about 2 years ago) hit a glass ceiling in my job

. I work for a cosmetics company as the Chicago Director--which has proven to be exciting and challenging, but I enjoy pushing myself mostly because I dont know really how to be any other way. But, it''s become kind of second nature. The money isn''t as great as it should be for the responsibility. I work insane hours, have practically no life/work balance, and other complaints!

On Monday I interviewed for a job I would

adore

!!! In my mind, the interview went great...it was an hour and half...where the conversation was flowing freely and I really liked the woman I would be working for. She said she would call me either Tuesday or Wednesday at the close of the interview. I sent a thank you not immediately after the interview and have been so excited over the prospect of moving on with my career and life. Unfortunately, she didn''t call me. I was pretty disappointed, because I really want this job, and as she explained to me--the interview process continues on from her to a few more steps...so I was hoping to spend the next week or so progressing in the process. After not hearing from her on the days she said, I sent a brief e-mail asking if she was still interviewing for the job, and opening myself up to answering any additional questions. She called me at 4:45 (I was working my current job

) and I missed her call. The message was pretty quick -- and vauge. I called her back...left a message....

So what now? Does anyone have any further suggestions? I dont want to be a thorn in her side, but I also believe that if you want something--you go out and get it!! I want to put myself out there, and show sincere interest, because the job is for a recuriter position.

Help!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

I think the ball is in her court. I think you did the right thing by contacting her, but if you don''t let her try to get a hold of you now, it''ll seem pushy.

Of course, her message was vague. How else is she supposed to leave a message at your current employers?

I don''t know where you are, but keep in mind the weather has made a lot of difference recently.

Good Luck!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I live in Chicago---so we absolutely victimized by the weather--however, I work from home at my home office...and so does this lady!! So she could have been detailed and no one would have know!!

But, I called her back--left a nice message at about 7:30 (which is when I finally got off my conference call since I work East and West coast hours), and now the ball is in her court. Thank you for your kind advice!

 

[somethingshiny]

Even if she works from home, her DH or kids could have had time off of work/school, so maybe that''s why she didn''t get back to you sooner.

Also, with her keeping vague on the message, it''s a good sign. If she didn''t want you, she''d simply say, "Thank you for your time, but we''ll not be needing you."

PS dust on the way!

 

[Sparkalicious]

This is a tough one, Italiahaircolor! It''s so hard to know what''s "right" in this type of situation. I agree with Something Shiny in that the ball is definitely in her court, however, if she has not called back in a couple of days, I really would suggest following up again because you don''t have anything to lose. If you call and find out she''s interested - fantastic. If you call and find out she''s not interested - not great but ... hey ... at least you know, right? It''s not as though if you didn''t call her you would have gotten the job when, in her mind, she may feel she found a more suitable candidate.

Go with your gut. If it feels right and it''s taking up a lot of your energy and a decent amount have time has passed, call her again, even if it''s under the guise of returning her voicemail msg again. You never know, if she is busy, it may have slipped her mind to return your call. Even though you may ultimately be the successful candidate, she may be getting other stuff in line in order to make the offer, right?

I''m in the same position right now so I don''t envy you this. I know how nerveracking it is and how annoying it gets second guessing yourself and wondering if "now" is the right time to call again.

Wishing you the best of luck on this exciting opportunity!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Thanks Spark and Something...I really appreciate you each taking your time to answer my post. Finding a job is SO darn hard!!

Thanks Something for the PS fairy dust...if it works, please keep it coming!

Spark...best of luck on your job search...here is some fairy dust for you, too! **dust, dust, dust**

 

[Sparkalicious]

You''re more than welcome & thanks to you too, Italia! I will put that dust to good use.

I appreciate it!

 

[Kaleigh]

Sending lots of PS fairy dust your way IHC, the fact she was vague is a good sign. If she didn''t want you, she would have said they have already filled the position, blah blah blah. So chin up and good luck!!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Thanks Kaleigh... I honestly hope you''re right! Whew, I can''t even sleep I''m so uppity!

 

[lumpkin]

The waiting is the hardest part! I hope it goes your way!

 

[blushingbride]

This sort of thing has happened to me in the past. When I was interviewing for my current job, my boss actually had a death in her family so, as a result the whole interview process was put on hold. The only reason I found out was by following up with HR when I didn''t hear back from her. Needless to say, I was hired about a week later.

Keep in mind that people are busy and have their regular job to do on top of interviewing people so, these things can take time. I would definitely follow-up in a day or two if you don''t hear from her - you want to keep the communication going and not let it run dry.

Good luck!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Lumpkin- you are absolutely right...waiting is the hardest part. I would rather know, one way or the other, as opposed to be in limbo. I am mildly depressed...isn''t that pathetic? Like, I have lost my drive to continue to look for other jobs because I hate the disappointment when in limbo--and all the self doubt that comes with it! I think I get this way because I hate rejection...and when it''s professional rejection, it feels like I picked the wrong career

Blushing Bride- Thanks for the kind words. I guess what makes this situation different is because I''m applying to be a recruiter...and this woman, who would be my boss, is a recruiter too...so her job is to hire people...

. I am still **hoping** but I''m feel pretty bad about it now, unfortunately!

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 2/8/2008 10:24:01 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Lumpkin- you are absolutely right...waiting is the hardest part. I would rather know, one way or the other, as opposed to be in limbo. I am mildly depressed...isn''t that pathetic? Like, I have lost my drive to continue to look for other jobs because I hate the disappointment when in limbo--and all the self doubt that comes with it! I think I get this way because I hate rejection...and when it''s professional rejection, it feels like I picked the wrong career

Blushing Bride- Thanks for the kind words. I guess what makes this situation different is because I''m applying to be a recruiter...and this woman, who would be my boss, is a recruiter too...so her job is to hire people...

. I am still **hoping** but I''m feel pretty bad about it now, unfortunately!

Oh, my, do I hear you. Limbo is awful. You don''t know whether to keep looking, not look at all, keep hopeful or let it go. Limbo will be over soon and you can either rejoyce in a new job or contemplate looking somemore, and knowing will be good. I''m still hopeful for you, though. Until the fat lady sings, it ain''t over, LOL!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Since you ladies have all been very kind and helpful, I thought I would pose another question about the job how to go about things in a manner that doesn''t make me seem like a boarder line psycho/stalker...

She called me last night, which I posted...and asked that I call her back. I did return her call that evening (just to show that I did in fact get her message and was all about being prompt as opposed to waiting until the next day...). But, she hasn''t returned my phone call. Should I call her again? Or would that make me appear completely desperate/needy??

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 2/8/2008 12:53:51 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Since you ladies have all been very kind and helpful, I thought I would pose another question about the job how to go about things in a manner that doesn''t make me seem like a boarder line psycho/stalker...

She called me last night, which I posted...and asked that I call her back. I did return her call that evening (just to show that I did in fact get her message and was all about being prompt as opposed to waiting until the next day...). But, she hasn''t returned my phone call. Should I call her again? Or would that make me appear completely desperate/needy??

Yes - I would call her again on Monday. You certainly don''t look desperate - this could be the job of your dreams as you mentioned and there''s nothing wrong with showing an interest. Plus, you are being professional about it so, it wouldn''t put you in a bad light. If you get her voicemail, just say that the two of you have been missing each other and that you would like to follow-up on from your interview the other week. Ask her to call you back at her earliest convenience.

 

[lumpkin]

Yeah, I''m with Blushing Bride. Don''t call today, but calling Monday would be fine. After all, you are interested in the job and you need to know whether to plan on it or not.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I must say I love you women ooddles! If this were the real world, I would open my cosmetic stock and let lipgloss and eyeshadow rain down on all of you as a big thank you!!

I will call her monday morning, 9am proper. I will be ever so friendly and kind...because really...I do need to know. I want this job, in the worst way! I think I would be great at it, plus the company is great, it has a strong background, and a bright future (I did my research tyvm!) I want to be there, everyday, working to find talented stylists who can bring a lot into their respective salons. But, I have a job. I have a staff that depends on me, and a boss who has intrusted me with a job that needs to be filled if I leave...and if I leave, I''d like to give my current job as much time as possible without making the new job "wait" on me.

Please, send me some PS dust!!!! It worked yesterday, she called (and I missed it)...but lets try again!!!

 

[Gemma12]

PS dust to you IHC! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Thanks Gemma...I''ll swallow my embarrassment when I''m passed over (as that is the vibe I''m getting right now) and will absolutely share the outcome!

 

[somethingshiny]

IHC~ I''ve taken to launching buckets of PS dust.


3..2..1..we have liftoff. DUCK!!!!

Try not to stress about it over the weekend. Look at it this way. If you get the job, you''ll probably have a similar schedule to hers. No nights and no weekends!! Yay!!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 2/8/2008 11:56:35 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Thanks Gemma...I''ll swallow my embarrassment when I''m passed over (as that is the vibe I''m getting right now) and will absolutely share the outcome!

Nothing wrong with calling bright and early Monday even after the evening message you left that went unreturned. I''m currently job-searching and I missed a call yesterday afternoon from a company I would really love to work for. I left a VM for the gal and my call wasn''t returned today...I left one more VM this afternoon after having not heard back from her and will call again Monday morning. IMO, persistence pays off and there could be many reasons she hasn''t returned my call. She must have been interested enough if she called me in the first place, so I am just swallowing my pride and am going to keep calling until I reach her. In my experience, you really have to have a positive attitude when job searching and you can''t second guess yourself too much.

My fingers are crossed for you, Italia! I''m in the Chicago area as well...best of luck to you!

 

[VRBeauty]

Here''s some insight from the other side of that desk: there are a number of reasons why she might not have called you back. Something else might have come up that required her to divert her time, or she may just want to think about it a bit longer. There may also be process or strategic reasons. I''ve had candidate selections rejected by my management, and a top candidate back at the very last minute, so I''ve learned that I have to be careful how I deal with my second choice, particularly if the two top candidates were very close.

If you were weighing competing job offers you''d have a good reason to call her again. Since you''re not, I''d take a deep breath and give her a day or two before contacting her again. A week between the interview and the final decision doesn''t seem unreasonable.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Thanks Something...I love this dust stuff

Monarch and Minims...I appreciate everything you both said! I plan to call Monday morning, since that will be 4 days inbetween contacts.

 

[kellyfish]

Italia,

I would just step back and wait a few more days at this point--though I know it is hard. I have been on many search committees over the years, and sometimes it can take weeks for thing to come to fruition for one reason or another. You made contact, she called you back & you returned her call. I would wait for her to contact you at this point. I have even been hearing lately the advice to not contact the potential employer post interview unless they initiate it. What you have done so far sounds just fine, I would just let them make any further moves......Best wishes & I hope it works out great for you!

 

[msb700]

good luck IHC! do keep us posted on the result of ur call..

i am also in the same boat as u..i have interviewed for a job a more than a week ago, and now i am waiting on pins and needles to get a response..though my situation is a bit diff (the guy i would be reporting too said he wants me and asked me to give him all the necessary documents to process the offer letter)..but now i have to wait to see if the ''top layer'' management have an issue or if they will sign-off on the letter before he can contact me back!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

MSB...Sounds like you job search is a little more advanced than mine. The lady I interviewed with shared with me the process that would continue the interviewing (meeting with her boss, having a phone interview with corporate, and finally taking an online screening). Although I left the interview--which, in my opinion went very well and lasted 1.5hours--feeling on top of the world...I''ve recently lost a lot of faith, and am coming to the realization that I just didn''t make the impression or spark the desire I had orginally hoped for, unfortunately

. I was always under the impression (and proceeded this way when I hired) that if someone was truthfully a fit for the job, you went after them hard core inorder to seal the deal. I am not sure what went on in her "world" this past week--perhaps the weather, other business, who knows--but on Monday morning I will touch base for the last time. If I do not speak with her personally, or if she doesn''t return my call, I will absolutely, 150% back off. It is not my goal to become overwhelming or repetative, I want the job (obviously) but I am the further thing from ''high-pressure''

 

[snowflakeluvr]

hi ihc,
my hubby is interviewing through executive recruitment right now, and feedback CAN take some time. he is hoping to get an offer in the next several weeks to a few months. it''s sooo difficult NOT knowing where we will be. we have a son headed to university in the fall and that may all change if dh takes a new position at a new company..
all the best to you as you wait. you sound like you have a lot of drive and enthusiasm. you''d be an asset at any company, imo!!!

good luck!

 

[msb700]

Date: 2/10/2008 1:22:56 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
MSB...Sounds like you job search is a little more advanced than mine. The lady I interviewed with shared with me the process that would continue the interviewing (meeting with her boss, having a phone interview with corporate, and finally taking an online screening). Although I left the interview--which, in my opinion went very well and lasted 1.5hours--feeling on top of the world...I''ve recently lost a lot of faith, and am coming to the realization that I just didn''t make the impression or spark the desire I had orginally hoped for, unfortunately

. I was always under the impression (and proceeded this way when I hired) that if someone was truthfully a fit for the job, you went after them hard core inorder to seal the deal. I am not sure what went on in her ''world'' this past week--perhaps the weather, other business, who knows--but on Monday morning I will touch base for the last time. If I do not speak with her personally, or if she doesn''t return my call, I will absolutely, 150% back off. It is not my goal to become overwhelming or repetative, I want the job (obviously) but I am the further thing from ''high-pressure''

Hi IHC....dont loose hope just yet...these things DO take time...sometime even going up to a few months..its normal...plus like u said when u talked to her, that there are several other ''steps'' after that initial interview. I am sure trying to sort out timings with everyone and setting interviews up can be a challenging job to say the least with everyones busy scheduele...so hopefully it is just that..

thinking of you this morning while u make ur call! please do keep us updated on what happened..good luck!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Snowflake - thank you so much for the kind words of inspiration! I appreciate you taking your time to answer my ever-lovin'' issue!!!

MSB700 - I totally understand the entire process taking time. I have done my fair share of hiring in the past, and I know the work, process and final decision can be daughtening. And yes, there were a couple of steps after the first inital interview, however, when she told me that she could call immediately to keep the proverbal ball rolling...that got my hopes up. When, however, this didn''t happen...it kind of sent me into a self-doubt spin cycle. I will be sure to keep everyone up to speed on the what nots of this job/interview...it will be interesting....

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Okay ladies, I have offically crossed over into "psycho" mode! I called at 9:05...and as it was ringing I heard the "beep" thing that meant she was on the other line. I left a nice, short, friendly message...and now the waiting game begins...

However, this will be my last attempt at contacting her...bottom line, if she wants me, I''m hers...and if she doesn''t, it''s back to the drawing board!